Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

BEACH HUTS

20 July 2016 · 3 other contributors

Opened by Christopher Chope Con Christchurch

HousingEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Christopher Chope raised concerns about beach huts in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Beach huts are integral parts of British seaside holidays but their legal status is unclear due to a lack of defined planning permission requirements.
  • Christchurch Borough Council secretly agreed to build 12 new beach huts without full public consultation and planning permission, causing local residents to protest and present an online petition with over 1,400 signatures.
  • The Government supports coastal communities through initiatives like the Coastal Communities Fund, which has contributed 120 million since 2016 to seaside towns.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Christopher Chope Con Christchurch

Mr Speaker, I welcome the Minister for Housing and Planning to his first outing. Beach huts are integral parts of British seaside holidays but their legal status is unclear due to a lack of defined planning permission requirements. An example of best practice is North Somerset Council’s approach which included full consultation and transparency in granting 132 beach huts at Weston-super-Mare. In contrast, Christchurch Borough Council avoided following proper procedures for months, causing public consternation. The council secretly agreed with a television company to build 12 new beach huts as part of the Channel 4 series 'George Clarke's Amazing Spaces'. This decision was made without full public consultation and planning permission, despite being on land that is also part of a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). Local residents protested heavily against this proposal and an online petition with over 1,400 signatures was presented to the council. The legal uncertainty around beach huts needs clarification from the Government to ensure proper consultation processes are followed.

Other contributors (3)
  • Rebecca Pow Con Somerton and Frome

    Acknowledges that some beaches have landmark beach huts, such as those at Dunster.

  • Peter Bone Constitutional Wellingborough

    Highlights the issue of councils giving themselves planning permission when they own land and how this case is even worse because no application was made in the first place.

  • Ian Mearns Lab Durham, Castle Eden

    Suggests referring the matter to the district auditor given the use of public money and lack of proper legal considerations.

Government Response

Gavin Barwell

I congratulate Mr Chope on securing this debate. The Government supports coastal communities through various initiatives, including a £4 billion contribution to the economy annually from coastal tourism and over £120 million invested in seaside towns via the Coastal Communities Fund since 2016. This has created or safeguarded 18,000 jobs. Regarding beach huts, councils have permitted development rights for ancillary buildings, but whether a particular development needs planning permission is decided by local authorities and ultimately courts. The Government will reflect on Mr Chope's request to look at the wording of the general permitted development order. Development granted through this route remains subject to the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. Despite concerns about Natural England’s involvement, it’s open for third parties aggrieved by a council’s decision to apply for judicial review within six weeks or ask the local government ombudsman to investigate maladministration. Encouragement is given for councils to engage with their communities on future proposals.

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